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 |  Featured Community Profile: Michael Simon  Malista Remembers Michael SimonOriginal Rhodians: Guss Pappas, Michael Simon, Basil Simon & George Karpathios The Rhodians, one of the Detroit's original premiere Greek-American bands, has lost one of its founding members, Michael Simon, abruptly taken from us this last January. Michael, his brother, Basil and cousin, George Karpathios formed the band in 1963.  A dream that began in 1961, in the imagination of its 10-12 year old members, who turned to their biggest fan for guidance and support, father and uncle, Thomas Simon, who as manager lit the spark that became the reality, the Rhodians. How do you say good-bye to the sound track? How do you say good-bye to the days of innocence and wonder, where every weekend was a family gathering, a church Glendi, a festival, and an event? Getting ready for the big dance, shopping, deciding on car pools, calling friends, to discuss what to wear, shoes, homework, parent approval, chaperones now seem just so far away. How unaware we were of the future, of responsibility. We were sheltered and we were allowed a precious gift, that of our youth. Never forced to be too serious, or burdened with too many problems, our worlds were simple, and the music that played in the background was gifted to us, by the Rhodians, the Prevas Brothers, the Levendis, and the Bel Canto Trio. We must now look to these memories to sustain us, and to give us the strength to accept the coming losses.  Cousin, George Karpathios remembers that, "Mike was a person who thought of others first. He was giving and loving, and he will be missed by so many. His family, children, Mary, Tammy, and Tom, his mother, Mary and brother Basil and family, Evey, Maria, Tom and Andrew, and countless uncles, cousins and friends, will all miss him." His brother, Basil Simon shared with mourners gathered at his funeral, "He was my best friend. We were planning Tammy's wedding and what songs we would share, and now there will be this huge void." Losses such as these challenge our spiritual beliefs. We are only left with one question, Why? The answer can only be found in the embraces and the prayer s of love that pour forth from each of us to the other.
The Rhodians have created an updated website, and encourage all of our readers to remember Mike with photos and their thoughts. http://georgekarpathios.tripod.com/ May his memory be eternal. |  |